Application for licensing

Application and licensing procedures for archaeological operators

In order to carry out preventive archaeological operations, prior ministerial approval as an archaeological operator is required.

The license is issued by the Minister of Culture.

Who is affected?

Companies (natural or legal persons) wishing to work as private archaeological operators must first obtain ministerial approval.

Practical details

Submitting an application for licensing

The application for licensing is addressed to the Minister of Culture and must contain the following information:

  • the name, address and legal form of the applicant ;
  • the surnames, first names, occupations and addresses of the managers, directors or other persons in charge or responsible for the applying entity; and
  • details of the number of people available to the applicant to carry out administrative, scientific and technical tasks.

Additional documents

The applicant must provide the following documents:

  • a file verifying :
    • knowledge of archaeological methods ;
    • writing and documentation skills;
    • the work experience of its staff to enable them to carry out and document archaeological operations;
  • a description of technical resources and access to :
    • equipment and information needed to carry out archaeological fieldwork;
    • post-excavation experience;
    • the compilation of the final report on the archaeological operation;
  • proof of insurance;
  • any other document they deem useful to establish that the above conditions for approval have been met.

Please refer to the Vademecum (Pdf, 318 Kb) (in French) for preparing your application for approval.

Deadline for the reply from the Minister of Culture

The Minister of Culture's decision on granting a license is sent to the applicant within 3 months of reception of the application, duly completed with all the required documents.

Issuance of license

Licensing is granted, by decision of the Minister of Culture, to the archaeological operator if it :

  • has the necessary staff to carry out administrative, scientific and technical tasks;
  • has satisfactory knowledge of archaeological methods and professional experience;
  • has the appropriate technical resources;
  • has access to the equipment and information required to carry out their mission;
  • has the ability to write reports in one of Luxembourg's official languages, and the means to prepare documentation on the archaeological operation;
  • enjoys the necessary moral, technical and financial independence.

The Minister of Culture may limit approval to :

  • specific archaeological periods ;
  • specific technical or scientific tasks;
  • a specific development projects.

Duration of validity

The license is granted for a maximum of 3 years and is renewable.

Applications for renewal must be submitted no later than 3 months before the expiry of the current approval.

The Minister of Culture may, at any time, suspend or withdraw approval if the holder :

  • no longer meets the conditions laid down; or
  • no longer complies with the specific conditions of approval; or
  • fails to comply with the requirements set out in the specifications, the ministerial authorisation for the archaeological operation or the recommendations made by government officials.

Contact Information

Ministry of Culture

Institut national de recherches archéologiques (INRA)